Ironing machine



2 Sheets-Sheet l IRONING MACHINE Filed Jan.

PQI.

Jan- 30, 194.0v

Jan. 30, 1940. c; A.- LINDEMANN IRONING MACHINE Filed Jan. l1, 1958 2 Sheet's-Sheei 2 Inventor z Chares A. Lindemann by Wwf.

H15 btorneg.

Patented Jan. 30, 1946 UNITED' STATES PTNT AOFFICE ration of New York Application January 11, 193s, serial No. 1114,405 s (ol. ssco1 The present invention relates to* ironing 1na`l chines ofgthe type having a shoe jcooperating with-a padded roll. The invention is particu#- larly .directed .to a manually operable'mecha surface of the plate 1 areV studs Il by means of whicha'v'strut II is clamped to the rear side of the plate. 'Fixed to the intermediate portion of thegs'trut. is a -U-shaped bracket l2 having sides '5 nism for movingl the shoe relative to the rol1.' 'I3- pivot'ed on a'pin ll" extending between the thereto.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a rearview -of a rotary ironer embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional'view taken on` line 2-2 of Figi, the parts being shown in the position in which the shoe -is against the "roll: Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. L2 the -parts being shown in the position in which the shoe is farthest removed vi'rom'the roll; Fig.-4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. zf'Fl'g. 5 is a sectional view taken' on line 5 -5 of Fig.'3';^Fig. 6 is a diagram- .matic view- 'showing a cover-on the ironing ma-d chine; Fig.l 7 is a-section'al elevation showing a modification of r the mechanism for moving the vshoe relative "to the roll,- thepartsbeing shown inthe positicninjwhich the shoe Ais against the roll;' -Flg. 8` isa view similar-tong.' 7, the parts being shown'ii the position in which ythe sloe is farthest removed from the roll; and Fig. 9` is 35 'a' detailed view of the'upper end of the shoe Y supporting bracket.

4 Referring tovthe drawings, I have shown my invention applied to a rotary ironer comprising I a suitably'padded roll I which is supported and vdriven by mechanism contained withinja housingl 2 mountedon-the top 3 ofi a suitable table.z

Fixed in a 4* infthe housing and'proiectin g'- therefrom along the roll is a.' tube 4- within which is journaled a rock shaft "i by means of which a heated shoe 8 is moved vtoward and away from thefroll. Constructions-.for voscillatingthe shaft Q and for-rotating and supporting the roll are well understood in the art and do not require illustration for the purposes of the present invention.

The shoe comprises an arcuate metal plate 1 heated by suitable electric heating elements. shown in elevation at' 8 (Fig. 4), which are clamped tothey rear surface of the plate 1 by means of clamping plate 9. Fixed to the rear side-walls of arin or bracket I5. Thejsides Il iitllin slots I8 in the side walls of the bracket |54 With this construction, the shoe is pivotally supported on the upper end of thea'rm II. EThe rear side ofthe shoe `is enclosedf'bya cover plate l. I1 fixedthereto in a manner not-shown.

J` shown in Fig. 5, one side wall of the arm I5 L ispivoted onthe-tube 4 andthe' other side wall' is pivoted on a bearing Il integral with an arm I Spivoted on the outer. end-of the tube l ll and extending Yvritl'iin' the space enclosed'byfthe side and rcon1'1ecti ng= walls of the-arm 'Il'. "Ihe armj I9 is splined on rthe outer end of the shaft lafcfis held against the outer end ofthe tube 4 by acoilf spring "arranged between a seat 30' 2l intheV outer end ofthe arm I9 and-'a washer 22 held on the shaft by a snap ring 23. With this arrangement the bearing of the arm II on thetl 1beV serves as the outer bearing forthe rock shaft {,5. and the forces developedjbetween the 25 roll and the shoeare carried solely by the tube l. .The 4other end of the rock shaft 5 is journalled; in a bearing 24; The rock shaftis oscillated .by means 1of* anl arm 25 fixed to the end of'the'fshaftwithin the h`ousing'2. M 'Ihel'arm I9 'hasforked ends 28 between which is piyoted alpin 21. Rotat'ably'and slidably carl' riedin the 'pin 21 is a rod2 laroundwhich is arranged alcoli spring 29. The lower' end .oi'tl'le coil-'1 spring bears' on a seat' llon'a collar 3135 whichis .slidab'le on the rod and is held by the spring.I against the upper side ofthe pin 21. The

,upperend of the spring 29 bears against a seat '3.2 on a nut threaded on the upper end of the'v rod 28.- vliired to the lowerfend of the rod 2`40 fis a-kriob 34' by means of which the rod/may be turned toq'cause lthe-'nut 3 3' to be "threaded up and down the' rod and thereby change the com-- pressi'on of the spring 2Q. Theknobf Il projects through the lower end of the bracket I B and` 45 is, therefore, in "a readily accessible position. On the upper end of the rod 28 is a -reduced ring 39. J 65 As shown in Fig. 2 the lever 38, coil spring 29, and the associated parts comprise a toggle arranged between the pin I4 and the pin 21. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, the pin 36 is slightly to the right of a center line between the pins I4 and 21 and the toggle is accordingly in an over-center or locked position. In this position the lever ends 31 butt against a stop 4I on the bracket I5. The pressure exerted by the spring 29 tends to hold the toggle in the locked position.

The pressure between the roll and the shoe is transmitted to the toggle through the pin I4. This pressure is limited by the compression of vthe coil spring 29. Since the compression of the.

coil spring 29 is adjustable, the pressure between the roll and the shoe is accordingly adjustable. The minimum pressure between the roll and the shoe is obtained when the upward movement of the nut 33 is limited by the spacing sleeve 40 (as shown in Fig. 2). The maximum pressure is obtained when the downward movement of the nut 33 is stopped by the termination of the threads on the rod 28.

In the use ofthe ironing machine the thickness of thematerial being ironed and the thickness of the pad on the roll are subject to variation. If the roll and shoe were held in fixed relation there would, therefore, be a considerable variation in pressure. The above described construction minimises the variation in pressure. When an exceptionally thick piece of material is fed between the roll and the shoe, the shoe moves away from the roll, the arm I5 moving in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2. Due to the location of the pin 21 at a point spaced rearwardly from the tube 4 the clockwise movement of the arm I5 tends to shorten the distance between the pins I4 and 21 thereby causing compression of the spring 29. The proportions are so chosen that the compression of the spring 29 is slight for the usual variations in thickness encountered during normal use. The pressure between the roll and the shoe, accordingly, remains substantially constant.

In the normal use of the ironing machine, the shoe is separated from the roll-by moving the rock shaft 5 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3 thereby moving the arm I9 to the position shown in Fig. 3. In this position the shoe is separated from the roll and the spring 29 accordingly expands until the shoulder 42 on the rod 28 strikes the lower side of the pin 21. In this position the spring is stillcompressed and the lever 38 is accordingly held against the stop 4I. In other words, the toggle between the arm I9 and the bracket I5 is in its over-center or locked position.

Further separation of the shoe from the roll is obtained by pivoting the lever' 38 in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 3, and thereby breaking the toggle connection to the shoe supporting arm I5. The lever 38 is pivoted by a hand lever 43 having an elongated slot 44 (Fig. 2) pivoted on a pin fixed between the forked ends 45 of the lever 38. The lower end of the hand lever 43 has a notch 41 which fits over a tongue 48 on the lever 38. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2 the hand lever 43 is rigid with the lever 38. When the hand lever is moved to the position shown in Fig. 3 the shoe is moved a substantial distance from the roll. The movement of the shoe is limited by the engagement of the lower end of the arm I5 and the rod 28 or of the upper end of the arm I5 and the lever 38. The shoe is normally inclined toward the roll, as shown in Fig. 3, the bracket I2 resting against the forked ends 31 of the lever 38. If desired, the shoe can be pivoted to a position in which the shoe faces upward. In this position the shoe can be conveniently cleaned and waxed and used for steaming.

By moving the hand lever 43 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, the toggle connecting the lever I9 and the shoe supporting arm I5 can be returned to its locked position. The hand lever 43 can be used to release and apply the pressure between the roll and the shoe independent of the rock shaft 5.

By sliding the hand lever 43 to a position in which the notch 41 is clear of the tongue 48, the

hand lever may be swung forward to the position shown in Fig. 6. This is of particular advantage when the ironer is enclosed by a cover 49, if the hinge connection between the levers 38 and 43 were not provided the vertical height of the cover would have to be increased. It is also an advantage in packing for shipment when no cover is supplied.

In Figs. '7, 8 and 9 is shown a modification which is in many 'respects identical with the previously described construction. Corresponding parts in the modication are indicated by the same reference characters. As in the' previously described construction the rod 28 is slidably and rotatably carried in the pin 21 and the coil spring 29 is arranged between seats 30 and 32, respectively, on the collar 3| and nut 33. The compression of the spring 29 is varied by turning the rod 28 by means of the knob 34. The maximum compression of the spring is limited by the termination of the threads on the rod 28. The Zrinimum compression is limited by a snap ring a. The shoe is pivotally supported on the arm I 5 by means of the pin I4 which extends through the side walls of the arm I5 and through the sides I3 of the bracket I2. A lever 58, which takes the place of the lever 38 in the previously described construction, is pivoted on the pin I4. Between the forked ends 5I of the lever 58 extends a link 52 having an elongated slot 53 fitting over the pin I4. The link 52 is connected to the upper end of the rod 28 by a swivel connection 54.

When the lever is in the position, shown in Fig. '7, the lower ends 55 of the lever abut against the ilat surfaces 56 on the uper end of the swivel connection 54. Since the abutting surfaces are ilat the force exerted by the spring 29 resists the angular movement of the lever 50 fromthis position.

As in the previously described construction, variations in thickness of the material being ironed cause the shoe to be moved away from the roll compressing the spring 29. This decreases the variation in pressure during ironing.`

When the shoe is moved away from the roll by the rock shaft 5 the pressure on the shoe is released. In this position the shoulder 42 on the rod 28 butts against the lower `side of the pin 21. In this condition the spring 29 is still compressed' and the lever 58 is accordingly held in line with the spring, as shown in Fig. 7.

'I'he pressure between the roll and shoe may be released by pivoting'the lever 58 through the hand lever 43 to the position shown in Fig. 8. In this position the pin I4 is near the bottom of the slot 53. This shortens the distance between the pins I4 and 21 and causes the arrn- I5 to be moved in the direction to separate the shoe from the roll. By pivoting the lever 50 in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 8, the lever may be returned to its normal position. Thereturn movement is made easier by the inclined surfaces 51 and 58 on the lower end of the lever and on the edge of the surface 56. From one aspect the ends I of the lever 50 serve as a cam.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an ironer having a roll and a shoe, a support, an arm pivoted thereon carrying the shoe, a variable length connection between said arm and said support comprising toggle links, one of which is of variable `effective length and includes a spring exerting a longitudinal force toward the other link tending to hold the toggle in the locked position and a stop carried by said arm for limiting movement of the toggle joint and thereby holding the links in the locked position.

2. In an ironer having a roll and a shoe, a rock shaft extending along the roll and having a part projecting rearwardly therefrom, an arm having its lower end pivoted on the axis of said shaft carrying the shoe on its upper end, a variable length connection between the projecting part of said shaft and said supporting arm including a member having its upper end connected to the upper end of said arm and having its lower end slidable in said projecting part, whereby said member slides through said projecting part as said arm pivots relative to the shaft away from the roll, and a spring resisting the sliding movement of said member for yieldingly holding the arm and shaft in fixed relation whereby the shoe is moved toward and away from the roll by oscillation of the rock shaft.

3. In an ironer having a roll and a shoe, a support, a shoe supporting arm carrying the shoe at its upper end and pivoted on the support at its lower end, said arm having spaced side walls and a rear connecting wall, and a variable length connection between the upper end of the shoe supporting arm andthe support at the rear of the pivot point of the shoe supporting arm, said connection being enclosed between the walls of said arm and including a spring exerting an upward force on the arm resisting movement of the shoe away from the roll, and means including a rod extending through the support and having its lower end accessible at the lower end of said arm for adjusting the pressure of said spring.

4. In an ironer having a roll and a shoe, a support, a shoe supporting arm carrying the shoe at its upper end and pivoted on the support at its lower end, said arm having spaced side walls and a rear connecting wall, a manually operable lever pivoted on said arm between its side walls above said support, and a spring between said side walls connected to said lever and to said support at a point at the rear of the pivotal axis of saidr arm. said spring exerting an upward force on said arm resisting the movement of the shoe away from the roll.

5. In an ironer having'a roll and a shoe, a support, ashoe supporting arm carrying the shoe at its upper end and pivoted on the support at its lower end, said arm having spaced side walls and a rear connecting wall, a variable length connection between said support and said arm comprising toggle links enclosed within said walls, one of which is a manually operable lever pivoted on said arm between its side walls above said support and the other of which` is connected to the support at a point to the rear of the pivotal axis of said arm, said latter link including a spring exerting an upward force on said arm resisting movement of the shoe away from the roll.

6. In an ironer having a roll and a shoe, a rock shaft extending along the roll and having a part projecting rearwardly therefrom, a shoe supporting arm carrying the shoe at its upper end and having its lower end pivoted on the axis of the shaft, said arm having spaced side walls and a rear connecting wall, toggle links enclosed within said walls and respectively pivoted on said arm above said projection and on said projection, one of said links including a spring exerting an upward force on said arm resisting movement of the shoe from the roll, and means including a lmanually operable lever on said arm for breaking said toggle.

7, In an ironer having a roll and a shoe, a rock shaft extending along the roll and having a part projecting rearwardly therefrom, a shoe supporting arm carrying the shoe at its upper end and having its lower end pivoted on the axis of the shaft, said arm having spacedside walls and a rear connecting wall, a rod pivotally and slidably carried in said projecting part, a manually operable lever pivoted on said arm above the support and having a part below its pivot connected to said rod, said rod and lever being enclosed within said walls,A and a compression spring urging said rod toward said lever whereby an upward force is exerted on the shoe supporting arm through said lever resisting movement of the shoe from the roll.

8. In an ironer having a roll and a shoe, a rock shaft extending along the roll and having an operating arm extending rearwardly therefrom, a shoe supporting arm carrying the shoe at its upper end and pivoted on the rock shaft at its lower end, a link connected to said operating arm and extending upwardly therefrom, a second link pivoted on said supporting arm above the operating arm and having its lower end connected to said first link, one of said links including a spring exerting a force toward the connection between the links, and a handle on said second link for pivoting the link.

CHARLES A. LINDEMANN. 

